How Long Will My New Roof Last?

By
Divine Roofing
|December 06, 2017

Replacing the roof over your head is a huge expense, and those who make
this tremendous investment likely want to know how long they can reasonably
expect it to last before they’ll need to replace it again. The answer
isn’t always straightforward: there are many different factors that
contribute to your roof’s longevity. Let’s take a look at
a few of them on this blog.

Roof Material

The biggest factor in a roof’s longevity is what material you construct
it out of. Perhaps the most common roofing material are asphalt shingles
because they’re cheap, fairly simple to install, and require. However,
you also sacrifice durability with them, and therefore longevity. Ideally,
you can only expect an asphalt shingle roof to last roughly 15 to 20 years
at the most, even when properly cared for. However, clay tiles, natural
stone like slate, or other hard roofing materials can last much longer,
with some being capable of withstanding wear and tear for 50 years or
more! Of course, these materials do cost more, and you should speak with
a Colorado Springs roofer to figure out whether your roof can handle a
heavier material like these before purchasing.

Roof Treatment

The more a roof has to be able to withstand in terms of use, the less time
it’s going to last. Do you have a solar panel system installed on
your roof? Each of those panels means you’ll need holes placed in
your roof for mounts. Holes are areas where water can intrude, which means
they’ll need to be specially sealed and have that seal replaced
periodically when it wears out. Roof-mounted air conditioners, vents,
chimneys, and even skylights can also have these issues. The more rooftop
features you have, the harder your roof will be to maintain and the more
likely your roof will need to be replaced sooner.

Regular Maintenance

A roof that sits untouched for decades doesn’t get the attention
it needs that can help extend its lifespan. In some ways your roof is
kind of like your car: the better you maintain and take care of it, the
longer it will last. A periodic roofing maintenance service every few
years can help you spot and repair any issues before they become serious
and risk causing catastrophic damage to your roof (and your home). On
the other hand, a roof that receives little attention is far more prone
to developing cracks and leaks that can cause even the most durable, well-constructed
roof to fail prematurely.